The bill H. 3277 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 23-3-557, which establishes strict regulations regarding sex offenders' contact and custody with their minor children. Effective January 1, 2026, individuals convicted of offenses requiring sex offender registration will be prohibited from having contact with their children under eighteen years old, unless the court lifts this restriction after the offender completes specific therapeutic requirements and demonstrates that their sexual deviancy is in remission. The bill also mandates that the court ensure safety planning is in place before allowing any contact, and it prohibits unsupervised visitation and custody for offenders while they are under these restrictions.

Additionally, the bill requires offenders to report the names and addresses of their minor children to the court and obligates the circuit solicitor to provide nonoffending parents with information about their legal rights and ways to protect their children from the offending parent during the offender's probation or while on the sex offender registry. This legislation aims to enhance the safety and well-being of minors in situations involving sex offenders.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 23-3-557
02/05/2025: 23-3-557
Latest Version: 23-3-557
12/06/2024: 23-3-557